Former Michigan State University basketball star shares anti-bullying message

Former Michigan State University basketball star Anthony Ianni urged Pennfield Middle School students Friday to take a stand against bullying by respecting each other in classrooms and hallways.

"That's what it's all about and that's what it's going to be about your entire life, respect," said Ianni, who was bullied from kindergarten to his freshman year in high school because of his autism and height.

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights dispatched the 6-foot, 9-inch tall Ianni to Pennfield and Kalamazoo's Paramount Charter Academy as part of its Relentless Tour, an anti-bullying initiative.

Ianni, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 4 years old, said he was the first person with autism to play Division I basketball. He played for MSU's 2010 and 2012 Big Ten championship teams, and the 2010 team that went to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.

According to the MDCR and Autism Alliance of Michigan, between 65 percent and 90 percent of people with autism have been bullied at some point in their lives.

During his hour-long presentation, Ianni recounted the story of a fifth-grader who gained his trust in the first grade and then betrayed him by having him stick his tongue on a frozen stop-sign pole. Seventeen years later, the same guy asked him to autograph a basketball after an MSU game.

He told of a sixth-grader who bullied him until he scored 20 points against him in a game. Ianni credited friends, teachers, coaches and teammates with helping him overcome the bullying he experienced in school.

Ianni now encourages students to be careful about what they say and do to others, and reminds them that real change starts with them, not other people.

"Bullying is something we must put an end to, not only in Michigan but across the country," he said. "Everyone is affected by bullying in some way and students with autism are incredibly high risk to be victimized.

"Our hope is that through my story and spreading our message we can not only inspire kids to take a stand against bullying, but also make bullies rethink their actions."

Ianni's message inspired 6-foot-5 eighth-grader Derek Sackitt and seventh-grader Kyleigh Goetz, both of whom were called to the stage with four other students to answer some light-hearted questions.

Sackitt said Ianni taught him how to deal with problems without anger, while Goetz said she learned that actions speak louder than words. Both have been bullied or witnessed bullying in school.

"Be careful what you say, because when you say something you don't mean you can't take it back, and that stays with someone forever," said Goetz, who once was bullied for what she wore and because she wasn't one of the popular kids. "I think what he said was very inspirational."

Assistant Principal Ben Bever said just about all of the school's 580 students attended the assembly.

"I think the message give students some hope and some tools to deal with issues of bullying that occur in society," Bever said. "Anytime we can expose our students to someone who has been bullied and overcame the experience to do great things, I think it is powerful."

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Anthony Ianni talks to Pennfield Middle School students about how close he was to pursuing a fight with a bully until realizing that it was not who or what he wanted to become.
Stephanie Parshall/For The Enquirer

Pennfield Middle School students cheer and clap for Anthony Ianni during his talk about his choice to go to Michigan State University to be a walk-on basketball player.
Stephanie Parshall/For The Enquirer

Anthony Ianni, former Michigan State University basketball player, spoke to Pennfield Middle School students Friday afternoon about his experiences with being bullied and teased.
Stephanie Parshall/For The Enquirer